Abstract
In this study, propolis extract (EPE) and oregano essential oil (OEO), both natural products with different bioactive compounds, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This phytopathogen is important worldwide as it can contaminate seeds and infect seedlings of many species. Antifungal susceptibility assays on culture media revealed that EPE and OEO were highly active against this phytopathogen, both individually and combined. EPE showed a fungistatic dose-dependent effect, acting mainly through diffusion, while OEO completely prevented mycelial growth at very low concentrations, with a combination of vapor and diffusion activity. Interestingly, OEO was more effective than EPE, as their minimum inhibitory concentrations were 0.39 μl/mL and 5 μl/mL, respectively. Combinations of EPE and OEO showed, depending on the doses, additive or synergistic antifungal effects. In the in vivo trial, dilutions of EPE and OEO made in sterile distilled water (SDW) were tested through a pathosystem with lima bean seeds and S. sclerotiorum. Seeds soaked in formulations with 40% EPE + 12% OEO + 48% SDW, and 20% EPE + 6% OEO + 74% SDW reduced disease incidence of 40% and 60% respectively, significantly decreased severity, with a minimum phytotoxic effect. This study strengthens previous work showing the antifungal action of EPE and OEO against S. sclerotiorum, and, as a main goal, highlights their potential for the development of biofungicides to protect lima bean seeds.
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19 July 2022
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02543-5
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The authors are particularly thankful to CIC (Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Argentina), and to CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas) for financial support. Authors would also like to thank Ing. Agr. Antonela Gil and Dr. Ana Paula Murray for their technical support, and Dr. Antonio Garayalde for his statistical assistance.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Irene Cibanal performed the experiments, analyzed the results and wrote the manuscript; Leticia Andrea Fernández contributed to the implementation of the research, the analysis of the results and the writing of the manuscript; Silvana Andrea Rodríguez performed part of the chemical characterization; Cecilia Pellegrini made substantial contributions revising the manuscript; Liliana Gallez critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content.
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Cibanal, I.L., Fernández, L.A., Rodriguez, S.A. et al. Propolis extract combined with oregano essential oil applied to lima bean seeds against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Eur J Plant Pathol 164, 33–43 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02536-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02536-4